Barnes’ humbling camp comes into focus

The tough part is out of the way for Washington Redskins rookie cornerback Kevin Barnes, Fred Smoot said . Barnes has been burned by Santana Moss… and Antwaan Randle El… and, well, several other receivers.

“First, they get humbled,” Smoot said. “He comes out, gets beat one time and knows he’s in the NFL.”

A week into his first NFL training camp, Barnes has experienced the typical highs and lows of being an NFL rookie. Some practices, the Glen Burnie native and former Maryland standout is all over the field, getting his hands on the ball and setting up an interception. Other practices, he’s matched up against Moss, who schools him during red-zone drills with a variety of moves.

“Young players are expected to make mistakes, and I’ve made them - now it’s time to start moving on and getting better and better every day,” Barnes said Thursday.

The Redskins’ third-round pick in April, Barnes is battling Justin Tryon for the No. 4 cornerback spot. Since Carlos Rogers continues to be sidelined with a left calf injury - he has missed eight straight practices - Barnes’ opportunities to face the Redskins’ top skill players have increased.

“Kevin is trying to understand the techniques,” coach Jim Zorn said. “If you could just line up and play man-for-man the way you wanted to play it, [the transition] probably wouldn’t be as difficult. A lot of times, the significance is that the corners are also playing in regard to the linebacker underneath them and to the safety inside of them. And then put motion to it - things get complicated very quickly.”

Zorn said Barnes is having an “outstanding camp.”

“He’s developing confidence in his talent man-to-man, and he has to develop confidence in communication and being in the right position,” Zorn said.

Mostly ‘live’ Saturday

Only the quarterbacks will not be “live” when the Redskins hold an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday.

“It’s our first chance to really hit and tackle,” Zorn said. “There won’t be a lot [of plays], so we’ll pick our plays and how we do it… will be scripted.”

Zorn said there won’t be any full-contact punt/kickoff drills but that field goals and extra points will be live.

Moss, Thomas sit

Devin Thomas missed Wednesday’s second practice but participated in Thursday’s first workout until he caught his first pass and felt pain in his right hamstring. He watched the rest of the day with an ice pack on his leg.

“I don’t know if it’s a setback, but it’s a learning situation for these guys,” Zorn said. “They have to know the difference between injury and just being sore.”

Story Continues →